About Us
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, JahMed has fostered collaborative partnerships with local public safety agencies within its service regions. This collaborative approach comes to life during local events, where we work hand-in-hand to extend medical support to both patrons and staff. The roots of JahMed trace back to 1996 at the Reggae on the River music festival held at French’s Camp in Humboldt County, California. The brainchild of founding members David Moss and Patte Rae, along with a dedicated volunteer cohort, JahMed was established to cater to the medical requirements of community events.
The original vision transformed in 2011, leading to the formal recognition of JahMed as a State-approved 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. JahMed's organizational structure encompasses specialized divisions including nursing, psych, self-care, responders, medical, and support. Several members of JahMed have lent their expertise to multiple divisions over the years, working in seamless harmony to offer comprehensive care to festival attendees.
At the helm of each division, both current and founding leaders boast extensive experience in event and crisis medicine. Their backgrounds span seasoned first responders, critical care nurses, acute care physicians, and innovative self-care providers.
Reggae on the River was traditionally JahMed's flagship event, drawing the largest crowd each year. We extend medical services to The Sierra Nevada World Music Festival in Boonville, California Roots Music and Arts Festival, and Monterey Jazz Festival in Monterey, and other large festivals. JahMed's commitment isn't limited to festivals alone; we participate in numerous single-day events in and around Humboldt County, which serves as the home base for most of our dedicated volunteers.
JahMed takes pride in what we do. JahMed does incredible work and we have great fun doing it! JahMed is a family and we warmly embrace like-minded care providers of all stripes.
Meet the Team
President 2024
Joseph Sandoval
Joseph has been an active member of JahMed since 2005 and has lived and worked in Humboldt County since 1999. He brings over two decades of experience in the emergency medical and fire services. In addition to serving as a volunteer firefighter and WEMT, Joseph teaches as an EMT proctor and fire academy instructor, and serves as Training Captain for the Petrolia Volunteer Fire Department.
President 2023
Lee Leer
Lee is a board-certified family and geriatric physician who works full-time in Eureka. He has been in practice for over 30 years and has experience in hospital, emergency, and office practice. He supervises the hospital and responds in the field with the first responders and the psych team when necessary.
Vice President
Sean Lyles
Sean Lyles has been involved in emergency medicine for 25 years. He is one of the night shift charge nurses at an emergency department in Humboldt County, where he has worked for over 17 years. Sean has volunteered with JahMed since 2004 and became the hospital coordinator in 2021.
Psych-Team Coordinator
Sarah Emmert
Sarah Emmert co-coordinates the Psych Team. She has been involved with event medicine since 2008. Sarah is passionate about equitable social change and works on diverse issues, including community safety and drug and alcohol policy. Sarah holds a BS in Psychology and a Master’s in Criminology.
Psych
Gene Ching
Gene oversees JahMed’s “Psych” team and has volunteered in events medicine since 1987. He consulted for Rock Medicine on tour with the Grateful Dead and Phish and served as a Weapons Expert on Man at Arms: Art of War. Gene specializes in responding to intensive psychedelic reactions. He holds a BS degree in Psychology.
Southern Division Medical Director
Zack Nakao
Zack is a board-certified emergency medicine physician with over 15 years of experience working in emergency rooms. He has spent much of his career serving the community of Salinas, California, in Monterey County. Zack started working with JahMed in 2024 and has assumed the role of southern division medical director.
Co-Founder
David Moss
In Humboldt County, Mr. Moss managed Reggae on the River, one of the largest reggae music festivals in the Western United States. He also Co-Founded the Reggae Rising Music Festival which started in 2007. As a direct result of these festivals, David Co-Founded Jah Med in 1996 based on the need for quality emergency services at Reggae On The River.
Support Coordinator
Dave Esteves
David has been an active member of JahMed since 2023. David worked in the Fire Service for over 42 years, retiring as a Chief Officer. He has worked in the field of Pre-hospital emergency care for over 3 decades. In addition to being a Firefighter/EMT, David also teaches Leadership to firefighters across the state of California. David has a passion for living with a servant’s heart.
Nurse | Ex-Officio Board Member
Emily Watson
Emily is a Board-Certified Emergency Nurse with seven years of experience in Level I trauma and critical care, including two years practicing in emergency departments across the country. Through JahMed, she discovered new music, meaningful connections, and a community that truly feels like a “home away from home.” Emily runs Jahmed's new Instagram page and loves making people feel seen, empowered, and appreciated, recognizing the work that happens beyond the spotlight.